Setting up a travel eSIM sounds technical the first time, but it takes about five minutes. The key is doing it in the right order: install at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land. This guide walks through each step for iPhone and Android, plus the settings that stop your home carrier from charging you roaming fees.

Before you start: two quick checks

  • Your phone supports eSIM. Most phones from the last few years do. On iPhone, look for "Add eSIM" in Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data). On Android, look for an eSIM or "SIM manager" option under network settings. Our guide on how eSIMs work in different countries has more detail.
  • Your phone is unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another eSIM. If you're not sure, ask your carrier a few weeks before you travel.

Step 1: Buy a plan for your destination

Choose the country or region you're visiting and a data amount that fits your trip. Not sure how much you need? Most travelers use about 0.5 to 1 GB a day — our guide on how much eSIM data you actually need breaks it down by trip length. If your trip covers several countries, a regional plan (for example, Europe) is usually simpler than buying one per country.

Choose a plan for your trip — by country or region, sized for how long you'll be away.

Browse Airalo eSIM plans

Step 2: Install it at home, on Wi-Fi

Install the eSIM a day or two before you fly, while you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. There are three ways to do it:

  • Direct install (easiest): in the Airalo app, open your eSIM and tap the install button, then follow the prompts.
  • QR code: scan the QR code with your phone's camera or in the "Add eSIM" settings. You'll need a second screen to show the code, such as a laptop.
  • Manual: type in the setup details shown in the app if the other two methods don't work.

Important: an eSIM can usually only be installed once. Don't delete it from your phone after installing, even after the trip — you may want to top it up next time.

Step 3: Label it and leave it switched off

Your phone will ask you to name the new line. Call it something clear, like "Travel" or the country name, so you can tell it apart from your home SIM. Then leave it switched off until you arrive. Depending on the plan, the validity period may start when the eSIM is installed or when it first connects at your destination, so check the plan details in the app.

Step 4: When you land, switch it on

On iPhone

  • Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data).
  • Tap your travel eSIM and turn on Turn On This Line.
  • Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM, if the plan requires it.
  • Under Cellular Data, choose the travel eSIM.

On Android

  • Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (the names vary by phone).
  • Turn on the travel eSIM and set it as the line for Mobile data.
  • Turn on Roaming for the travel eSIM, if the plan requires it.

Give it a minute or two to find a network. You should see the signal bars and a network name appear.

Step 5: Stop your home carrier from charging you

This is the step people miss. Make sure data roaming is off for your home SIM, and that mobile data is set to the travel eSIM. You can keep your home line on to receive calls and texts (for example, bank verification codes), but calls and texts on it may still be charged by your carrier — check its rates if you plan to use them.

If it won't connect

  • Check that data roaming is on for the travel eSIM.
  • Check that mobile data is set to the travel eSIM, not your home SIM.
  • Turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off again.
  • Restart your phone.
  • Still nothing? Contact Airalo support through the app — keep a little hotel or airport Wi-Fi handy for this.

Running low on data?

You can top up the same eSIM from the app in a couple of minutes, without a new QR code or reinstalling anything. That's why it's often cheaper to buy a slightly smaller plan and top up once if needed, rather than paying for the largest plan upfront.

Ready to set it up? Pick your destination, install the eSIM at home, and you'll be online the moment you land.

Get your travel eSIM

Related reading

Cancún eSIM vs Mexico roaming: what Canadians and US travelers actually pay Bali airport SIM vs eSIM: which is better for tourists? How much eSIM data do you actually need? Do eSIMs work the same way in every country? eSIM vs roaming: which actually costs less on a 10-day trip?

The short version

Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, buy a plan, and install it at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly. When you land, switch the travel line on, turn on roaming for it, set it for mobile data, and turn roaming off for your home SIM. If it doesn't connect, check those settings and restart your phone.